CSKA claim Toure lied about abuse over failed 2018 bid

Yaya Toure has been accused of lying about being racially abused in Moscow by CSKA managing director Roman Babaev, who stated the midfielder was acting in revenge of Russia beating England to host the World Cup in 2018.

Toure was subjected to abuse from the stands during Manchester City's recent Champions League win over CSKA. As a result, UEFA's control and disciplinary body ordered the partial closure of Moscow's Arena Khimki stadium for their next Champions League game against Bayern Munich on November 27.

However, reports in the Daily Mail and The Sun indicate Babeav suggested the English press had encouraged Toure to speak on the issue.

"The mood of vengeance among the English for having lost out to Russia influenced the case," Babeav said.

"After the match the British journalists encouraged Yaya Toure and other Manchester City players to expand on the theme.

"The English just can't accept they lost to our country in a fair fight. We don't believe racist behaviour by our fans has been proven."

Russian football was thrown into further scandal this week after Spartak Moscow's match with Shinnik Yaroslavl on Wednesday was marred by crowd trouble, which saw a Nazi flag unfurled.